"She's A Friend"

“She’s A Friend”
She’s a friend to the young girl
who feels out of place.
Her kind words and caring ways
welcome her.

She’s a friend to her daughter’s coach,
who’s in need of confidence.
Her thoughtfulness and reassurance
encourage her.

She’s a friend to the one
who is hurt.
Her compassionate heart and loving spirit
comfort her.

She’s a friend to the new Mom
who doesn’t know what to do.
Her honest example and Godly advice
guide her.

She’s a friend to the quiet girl
who’s afraid to open up.
Her shared struggles and admitted mistakes
strengthen her.

She’s a friend to the woman in her 30's
who has a fear of failure.
Her listening ear and their time together
change her.

She’s a friend to her daughter
who sometimes has doubts.
Her constant prayers and walk of faith
inspire her.

She is a friend to God
because she knows His Son.
Her helping hand and grateful heart
glorify Him.

A special thanks to all my friends out there!! You are all a blessing!!

No Turning Back

I read the second chapter of Lysa TerKeurst's book entitled a Line in the Sand and God not only spoke to me thru the words on the pages, but illustrated it as well.

Today, Joy, my second child and also our little miss independent was determined to ride her bike without training wheels. So J.D., our 5 year old mechanic willingly removed the extra wheels and encouraged his little sis!

After moments of frustration, I suggested possibly putting the training wheels back on, after all she is only 3!! But my little princess/tomboy, who believes she can do anything her big brother can, wanted nothing to do with that!

She had been able to ride with me getting her started and believed with enough determination she could do it herself. She wasn't turning back even if it meant a skinned up knee!

As I watched her persevere, I thought of Lysa's words, "starting something new begins with leaving something old." That was true for Joy today, just like it is for me as I walk the path God has paved.

Sometimes it is hard, I think I can't, I worry about falling and getting hurt, I wonder what others will think, but just like my little girl I have to make a choice. No matter what might happen, I have to do what God calls me to do. Sure I might crash, but she reminded me I can get back up, brush it off and try again. She even went so far after one fall to stand up, smile and say, "There's not even any blood!!"

As much as Joy encouraged me today - after an hour she was making skid marks just like her brother, Lysa's comment about God filling in the gaps was the icing on the cake. I know my confidence and belief in myself can only take me so far and when I reach the limit it is wonderful to know God will cover the rest.

In the past year I sense He has done that and it's wonderful to look back and see what He has done. His faithfulness in the past offers wonderful hope for the future!!

As I say that I think about what He is calling me from because as Lysa says we have to leave the old if we want something new. I know the thought is right, but at times it is scary - I often let the what if's occupy my mind and find myself dwelling on what might never happen. Why??

So as I move ahead, I do so trusting the One who calls. As a former public school teacher who left teaching to stay home 5 years ago, in a sense I will leave an old mindset this fall as I begin homeschooling my son. As I take this step with worry, fear and excitement I know I will depend on God like never before and just like Joy reminded me this afternoon once we take that step there is no turning back!!

Something fun...

I saw this on another blog and thought it looked fun! If you try it on your blog, leave me a comment with a link

A is for age.
32, my HS b-ball number, so it's bound to be a good one!!
B is for burger of choice.
One of my husband's specially made burgers (with oatmeal) on the grill.
C is for what car you drive.
A 1999 dusty Dodge Caravan.
D is for Dog's name.
Blondie and Rosco
E is for essential item you use every day.
Toaster and microwave it's a toss up.
F is for favorite tv show at the moment.
Clifford - guaranteed quiet time!!
G is for Favorite game.
Basketball
H is for Hometown.
Riceville, IA.
I is for instruments you play
None!!
J is for favorite juice.
Grape
K is for who you'd like to kiss.
My little Peanut (Jaylyn who's 17 months) She loves to make it smack!
L is for last restaurant you ate at.
Pizza Hut
M is for your favorite Muppet.
Kermit
N is for number of piercings.
None
O is for overnight hospital stays.
5 - 3 kids, 1 early labor complications and 1 reconstructive knee surgery
P is for people you were with today.
My family.
Q is for what you do with your quiet time.
Read, write, study the Bible and pray.
R is for biggest regret.
Not speaking up and sharing my thoughts and beliefs because of fear of what others will think.
S is for status.
Married 7 years this month.
T is for time you woke up today.
5:30 to rain in our tent!!
U is for what you consider unique.
My kids and husband.
V is for vegetable you love.
Asparagus
W is for worst habit.
Worrying.
X is for number of x-rays you've had.
Maybe 3.
Y is for yummy food you ate today.
Peanut butter bar!
Z is for zodiac sign.
Pisces-- though I don't believe in the zodiac.

Thinking too much...

As God attempts to work out His plan in my life often times I find myself thinking too much, which in turn can lead to worrying too much. It's not always a fun or good situation. I don't know how many times I have told my husband, "I just wish I had an off switch."

Like I have said before sometimes God calls us to the unexpected and gives us a task we don't understand. When that happens the math mind in the former teacher in me starts to take over.

I analyze things and try to figure it out but life isn't like an algebra problem. Just because A + B = C on the pages of a math book doesn't mean the same is true in my life. God hasn't revealed the variables yet, so it's impossible for me to find the solution.

At times it's tempting to take on the attitude of some of my former students - I don't get, I give up!!!

God doesn't want me to give up, but He does long for me to surrender. Giving up says I quit, but surrendering to God says I'm yours.

When that's the case I don't need to figure out what the future holds, He has always known the answers to the problems my worries create.

I have come to realize most times when I think too much, I'm not trusting enough.

"Are you sure?"

God has a plan. I know that in my heart, but at times my mind says, "Are you sure?" Experience has proven that often times His plan is what we least expect and when that's the case I often don't understand.

As if misunderstanding isn't enough, doubt and fear tend to make their presence known as well.

When God calls me out of my comfort zone, I know the right thing to do. It's as Nike says, "Just do it!"

Though I know the right thing, all too often I sound like my child, "but...." Then I hear our pastor's wife, "The right thing usually isn't the easy thing."

As God calls me out of my comfort zone, and you out of yours because He will, He has a plan. Maybe our actions will impact another - by hearing about our faith, they will want the same or maybe our confidence in Christ will encourage a fellow believer to take a stand or maybe God is simply trying to strengthen and mature me to preparation for what lies ahead.

So in the moments when I'm doubtful and afraid rather than asking God, I need to ask myself, "Are you sure?" "Jill, are you sure you believe God works all things together for good? Are you sure you can do all things thru Christ who strengthens you? Are you sure you love the Lord with all your heart, soul and mind?"

I'm sure my mind believes that, now my life needs to prove it.

God has a plan...

I am taking part in an online study of Lysa T's book When Women Walk in Faith, so I'll be adding comments from a chapter each week...

God has a plan...it's a thought that makes sense to me in the grand scheme of things, but as I make it more personal it becomes a bit more overwhelming and at times confusing. God has a plan, a plan for me and a plan for you.

What is that plan? Good question, but often times it's what I least expect. As a child, teen and college student I had visions and dreams of what my future would hold, but it wasn't until I was a second year teacher that I realized my future looked different in God's eyes.

Thru a series of events, struggles and setbacks He called me to Himself and began revealing the plan He had. It all started with me accepting Christ as Lord and Saviour.

In the 10 years that have passed, my life at times looks nothing like I would have expected, but I'm thankful for where I am at. I read one person say they wouldn't trade anything for where they are at on their walk of faith. True.

God does have a plan and often times difficulties and trials are part of it. So what do we do when things don't make sense? Look back and see how far He has brought you and trust Him to do it again.

Dilly Dally

My 5 year old son runs on his own time. Sometimes it's 90 mph full speed ahead, but when I'm in a hurry and the clock is ticking it seems dilly dally mode kicks in. I'm not even sure if that is a word, but it's a concept that is too visible around here at times.

J.D. can be so consumed with what he's doing that he's oblivious to what I'm saying. Other times his urgency just doesn't match mine. Yet others, there are moments where he simply doesn't want to do the job at hand, so slow motion sets in.

The other day during a bit of frustration caused by of one of these dilly dally moments God used my son to get my attention. You know one of those times when you ask yourself, "Why is he like this?" Only to realize you do the very same thing.

Now I don't drag my feet when there's chores to do, well not always, but God did have my attention because the very actions that were upsetting me as the mother of my child had to be frustrating God as my Father as well.

As He calls me out of my comfort zone to share my faith and walk in obedience, I dilly dally. I drag my feet, think of excuses, worry about what others would think, and on and on...

Later that same day, God again used a frustrating dilly dally moment. J.D.'s actions, or lack there of, caused him to miss out on a trip to town with his dad which in turn led to one sad little boy. As I tried to capitalize on this teaching moment, God did the same.

He echoed the very same words I told my son, "when we don't listen and move our feet sometimes we miss out." It's yet to be determined what effect this has on J.D., but God made His point with me.

Just like Job, J.D.'s dad, didn't wait forever for him, God will do the same with me. He's given me a task to do and though it's scary at times I need to listen and obey. So as I encourage my son to leave the days of dilly dally behind, I'll be attempting to do the same myself.